California ghost town of Bodie:
In this lesson, students will practice applying their geography skills and knowledge to making predictions and plans for the future. They will learn about the California ghost town of Bodie and pretend that the state wants to bring the town back to life.

Latitude, Longitude, and Mapmaking:
 This lesson requires students to review the concepts of latitude and longitude and to use these concepts to create maps of different countries on the computer. They’ll conclude by discussing the reasons why it’s important to understand latitude and longitude and by creating quizzes in which other students can locate “mystery” places that they map on the computer.

Defining Regions of the United States:
This lesson asks students to think about how the regions of the United States are defined and characterized. They’ll map the regions from memory and will compare maps to see that regions are human constructions that do not generally have clearly-defined boundaries. They’ll consider how their own region is defined and will conclude by writing essays explaining how the creation of regions can help us to organize and understand the country's geography and can also contribute to stereotypes.
 
The four lessons below were originally written for elementary students. However, they can be modified for use in middle school, or used for inclusion, special needs purposes, or used simply for remediation:

Symbols and Legends
Students will become familiar with the concepts of symbols.  Students will earn to use a legend to identify features on a map.

Learning Directions on a Map
Students will learn to use north, south, east, and west to identify relative locations and provide directions.

Map Grid
Students will learn how grids are created and used to locate positions of objects or features on a map.

Map Scale
Students will learn about scale and what it does. Students will also learn how to use the scale on a map to determine distance and to measure the size of objects.

Maps - Oddens (Utrecht U.)
This site has more than 1,000 links to electronic map resources and 180 map collections. Perhaps this site is the most extensive grouping of maps on the Web. .

SCORE Map Resources.
The Schools of California Online Resources for Educators (SCORE) project is a terrific resource for teachers and students alike (see description under General Resources).

National Geographic: GeoBee Quiz.
National Geographic has plenty of interactive quizzes, games, expeditions and tours at their site.

Animated Atlas.
This site features a ten minute, interactive movie which is a geographic history of the United States, locating major events and the admission of every state. Also sells classroom videos.

Shock-ing Geography.
At this site, students can quiz themselves on physical, current political and some historical map information. Instructors can have results of student self-quizzes emailed to them. Requires Shockwave software plug-in (available download free).

OSSHE Historic Atlas Resource Library.
Extensive, colorful, and often interactive, the maps in this library cover Europe, Middle East, North Africa and North America.

Map Machine (National Geographic).
This site features physical and political characteristics of countries and includes aerial views. There are profiles, facts, and flags that accompany the maps.

David Rumsey Map Collection.
 This collection has over 8,800 maps online and focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and other cartographic materials.

Historical Atlas of the 20th Century.
An interesting and informative collection of information on the twentieth century.

Quia.
This site has assorted links to geography quizzes and games. the site also helps teachers create their own quizzes.

Map Machine:
This site containseEight categories of maps and map themes.

Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment.

Blank & Outline Maps:
THis site contains collections of blank and outline maps to print out for educational or personal use at home or in the classroom.

© 2005 Mobile County Public Schools
 MCPSS is not responsible for the content of links beyond the initial levels
  in this site and does not officially endorse any software or other products mentioned 
on the linked sites.